By Keith Loria
With hundreds of new apps being introduced on a consistent basis, it’s often difficult to stay on top of the latest and greatest to ensure you’re getting the most out of your mobile device. While there have always been great apps available for house hunters, more recently, some wonderful apps for sellers have come to fruition.
Here are five apps that will make your life easier if you’re in the process of selling your home.
1. Handyman Calculator. Before putting your home on the market, you’re most likely going to want to fix up a few things around the house, and this app is the perfect tool to make sure your home improvement is done right. Whether you’re repainting the walls, retiling the bathroom or hanging photos, this app will help you figure out the proper measurements and material you’ll need to get the job done. Not only will the Handyman Calculator calculate the proper square footage of a project, it will get you one step closer to becoming a home repair expert.
2. DecorPad. If you’re looking to catch the eye of a potential buyer, this interior design app is the way to go. Browse photos from top designers to inspire your own home decorating and create a look even a stager would be jealous of. DecorPad can be used for any room in the house, and also offers a “steals and deals” section where sellers can find furniture and other home décor on sale.
3. Breathe2Relax. Selling a home can be a stressful time with house hunters coming and going, bids falling through or just the agonizing waiting that often accompanies the process. Breathe2Relax is the perfect stress management tool, providing numerous ideas on how to relax. Breathing exercises have been documented to decrease the body’s stress response, and help with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management—all things that can come into play during a home sale.
4. Remember The Milk. The list of things you need to accomplish when selling a house is myriad. There’s decluttering, making small repairs, doing paint touchups, tending to the yard and making sure the house is always presentable. Staying organized can be tough, but thanks to this handy app, you can create lists and schedules that will get everyone in your family on the same page so everyone knows what their responsibilities are. Users can set tasks, organize them into lists, and get reminders via email and text when something is due.
5. iMoving. This innovative app will help a seller through the moving process once a bid is finally accepted and it’s time to move out. Not only can the app gauge how much stuff you have in each room, it can also provide tips on the best way to pack. This handy app offers a room by room guide so you don’t forget anything in your packing details, and it can also calculate the approximate price it’ll cost to move by providing estimates in weight and cubic feet. It’s the perfect way to make moving hassle-free.
For more information about apps available for home sellers, contact me today.
A service from the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® | Naples, Fla. (April 17, 2014)
Million dollar home sales in Naples continue to skyrocket with the $2 million and above single family home market increasing 83 percent from 48 sales in the first quarter of 2013 to 88 sales in the first quarter of 2014, according to the 2014 First Quarter Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). Overall closed sales increased 5 percent from 2,237 in the first quarter of 2013 to 2,352 in the first quarter of 2014. However, closed sales in all price categories above $300,000 increased by double digits with the $2 million and above price category experiencing the highest increase of 80 percent from 61 sales in the first quarter of 2013 to 110 sales in the first quarter of 2014.
Overall, homes in the $300,000 and below price category realized the biggest median closed price adjustment from $159,000 in the first quarter of 2013 to $173,000 in the first quarter of 2014, which reflected a 9 percent increase.
“NABOR reports statistics based on activity in the Southwest Florida MLS [multiple listing system],” said Pat Pitocchi, NABOR® president and corporate trainer at Downing-Frye Realty. “However, the system does not compile all commercial real estate activity or new construction activity.”
According to Wes Kunkle, a commercial broker at Kunkle Realty and NABOR® president in 2013, activity has increased in commercial real estate for the first quarter as well. Activity was also impressive in the new home construction market during the first quarter according to Brett Brown, Director of Sales and Managing Broker for Fiddler’s Creek Realty, Inc.
In the first quarter of 2014, a total of 270 homes with a median closed price of $1 million and above exchanged hands in Collier County (excluding Marco Island), up 65 percent from 176 closed sales in that category during the first quarter of 2013, according to the report.
“The Naples area housing market does not appear to be slowing down,” said Pitocchi. “REALTORS are busy; especially agents who are showing homes priced over $1 million. In addition, for the first quarter of 2014, cash sales are continuing to dominate the market as shown by sales of 74 percent versus financed sales of 26 percent.”
Inventory in all price ranges has continued to decline. In the first quarter of 2014 there were 4,405 available properties, a 14 percent decrease from the 5,136 available during the same quarter last year.
As reflected in the statistics, the tight supply and high demand of homes is not triggering dramatic price increases. The median closed price in the price segments above $300,000 increased 9 percent from $540,000 in the first quarter of 2013 to $590,000 in the first quarter 2014.
The NABOR® 2014 First Quarter Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. The NABOR® First Quarter 2014 sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings:
- Overall closed sales increased 5 percent from 2,237 sales in the first quarter 2013 to 2,352 sales in the first quarter of 2014.
- The overall median closed price increased 15 percent from $230,000 in the first quarter 2013 to $265,000 in the first quarter 2014. The overall median closed price of homes $300,000 and under increased 9 percent from $159,000 in the first quarter 2013 to $173,000 in the first quarter 2014.
- The overall average days on market are at 95 for the first quarter of 2014.
- Overall pending sales increased 45 percent for homes $2 million and above from 120 contracts in the first quarter of 2013 to 174 contracts in the first quarter of 2014.
- Inventory for condominiums decreased 23 percent from 2,758 units in the first quarter of 2013 to 2,110 units in the first quarter of 2014, while inventory for single-family homes decreased only 3 percent from 2,378 units in the first quarter of 2013 to 2,295 units in the first quarter of 2014.
The NABOR® March 2014 Report reflects sales statistics presented in chart format, with these overall single-family and condominium statistics:
- Overall closed sales increased 42 percent in the $2 million and above price category from 245 sales in the 12-months ending March 2013 to 348 sales in the 12-months ending March 2014.
- Overall pending sales increased 4 percent from 10,633 contracts in the 12-months ending March 2013 to 11,083 contracts in the 12-months ending March 2014.
- Overall median closed price increased 15 percent from $215,000 in the 12-months ending March 2013 to $248,000 in the 12-months ending March 2014, with the under $300,000 price segment experiencing the largest increase of 11 percent from $148,000 in the 12-months ending March 2013 to $165,000 in the 12-months ending March 2014.
- Closed sales for condominiums increased 10 percent from 4,694 sales in the 12-months ending March 2013 to 5,140 sales in the 12-months ending March 2014.
- The median closed price of single-family homes increased 25 percent from $248,000 in the 12-months ending March 2013 to $310,000 in the 12-months ending March 2014.
“According to the report, distressed sales – foreclosures and short sales – now account for only one in ten transactions,” said Steve Barker, Advising Broker for Equity Realty. “This represents an important milestone and indicates that Naples has returned to a stable real estate market.”
“Despite a low inventory, sales are strong because the inventory is continually being sold and replenished. List your home with a REALTOR® who can help you price it correctly and it will likely sell quickly,” said Pitocchi.
The Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®) is an established organization (Chartered in 1949) whose members have a positive and progressive impact on the Naples Community. NABOR® is a local board of REALTORS® and real estate professionals with a legacy of nearly 60 years serving 4,000 plus members. NABOR® is a member of the Florida Realtors and the National Association of REALTORS®, which is the largest association in the United States with more than 1.3 million members and over 1,400 local board of REALTORS® nationwide. NABOR® is structured to provide programs and services to its membership through various committees and the NABOR® Board of Directors, all of whose members are non-paid volunteers.
The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics.
More About Buying A Home:
NABOR: Naples area may shift to sellers’ market with real estate recovery
April Housing Scorecard: Progress as Values Rise and Sales Remain Strong
By JUNE FLETCHER | Sunday, October 27, 2013 | NAPLES
Though new homes are being built at a furious pace, real estate market analysts say they aren’t making a dent in Southwest Florida’s housing shortage.
Shelton Weeks, chairman of the department of economics and finance at Florida Gulf Coast University south of Fort Myers, said the surge is driven by the fact that home prices finally have risen above building replacement costs.
But he doesn’t expect new construction will occur fast enough to have a big effect on the resale market for at least two years.
“I don’t think it will take the edge off,” he said. “I expect a healthy market, but inventory will remain tight.”
The latest statistics from MetroStudy show that for the second quarter, annual housing starts were up nearly 42.8 percent in Collier County and 40.7 percent in Lee County from the same period a year earlier.
The firm expects housing starts to continue to increase steadily for the rest of the year.
But new home inventory still remains extremely tight at below-normal ranges: 1.2 months in Collier County and 1.3 months in Lee, the research firm said.
Meanwhile, builders are underscoring their confidence that the boom will continue by taking out new permits.
In August, they were up 30 percent year-to-date compared with the same period a year earlier in Collier County and 42 percent in Lee, the National Association of Home Builders said.
Naples real estate broker Brenda Fioretti notes that builders are building in every price range and location — except the beach, where land is scarce. Many wealthy buyers are buying an older home for its land value, tearing it down and building a custom “dream home,” she said.
Since new homes generally are more expensive than existing ones, that’s pushing some would-be new home buyers into the resale market, real estate agents say.
Currently there are more than 45 active new home communities from Estero to south Collier County, the web site Newconsearch.com says. Others will be launched soon.
Here’s a sampling of what’s available:
* * * * *
The clubhouse at Bonita Lakes will include a resort-style swiming pool and a separate shallow splash zone. There also will be a Har-Tru bocce ball court and lighted Har-Tru tennis courts. photo: Naples News
Ground-breaking for the clubhouse of this gated community took place in September. About 45 homes are in various stages of permitting and construction. Ten of the home designs have first-floor master suites.
■ Builder and developer: Toll Brothers
■ When started: Fall 2012
■ Number of homes when completed: 268
■ Amenities: Two pools, bocce and tennis courts, recreational facilities
■ Project size: 120 acres
■ Types of homes: One- and two-story villa and estate homes
■ Price range: Low $300,000 to upper $500,000
■ Square footage: 2,058 to 4,354
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/sep/01/toll-brothers-holds-ground-breaking-for-at-lakes/
Camden Lakes, 16088 Camden Lakes Circle, North Naples
Grand opening of models will take place Nov. 2, but 15 percent of the homes have been presold. Homes are targeted to move-up buyers and empty nesters. The project is expected to be completed in 2014.
■ Builder and developer: Pulte Homes
■ When started: July 2013
■ Number of homes when completed: 150
■ Amenities: Heated pool; fitness center; half-court basketball; community gathering room; catering kitchen; outdoor barbecue grill; fire pit; pavilion, and covered verandah
■ Project size in acres: 60
■ Types of homes: 150 single-family homes
■ Price range: high $200,000s to low $600,000s
■ Square footage: 1,750 to 3,500
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jul/28/pulte-starts-construction-of-3-models-at-camden/
■ Esplanade at Hacienda Lakes, 8625 Collier Blvd., Naples
■ Land clearing began in mid-summer for the first residential parcel within the new 2,262-acre master planned community Hacienda Lakes. Built by Taylor Morrison, the 153-acre project will be called Esplanade at Hacienda Lakes. Pricing and home designs haven’t been set.
■ Builder: Taylor Morrison; developer: Hacienda Lakes LLC
■ When started: Models will open in early 2014
■ Number of homes when completed: 443
■ Project size: 153 acres
■ Types of homes: Villas and single-family homes with two or three bedrooms and two-car garages
■ Amenities: The master-planned community eventually will include clubhouses, sports courts, pet park, retail, offices, a hotel, a business park and a public school. About 1,500 acres will be preserve land.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/oct/20/clearing-underway-for-hacienda-lakes-first/
Isles of Collier Preserve, southwest corner of Bayshore and Thomasson drives, Naples
On the edge of Rookery Bay, the 2,400-acre master-planned community once known as Sabal Palm will preserve half of the land. Homes will have an Old Florida design.
■ Builder and developer: Minto Communities
■ When started: January 2013; seven models opening January 2014
■ Estimated buildout: 2024
■ Number of homes when completed: 1,600
■ Amenities: Clubhouse, pool, hiking and biking trails, kayak launch
■ Project size: 2,400 acres
■ Types of homes: Single-family and coach homes to start; later estate homes and multifamily will be built.
■ Price range: low $400,000s to mid $700,000s
■ Square footage: 1,621 to 3,995
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/sep/09/groundwork-isles-of-collier-preserve-taking-on/
Maple Ridge at Ave Maria, 5000 Avila Ave.
The single-family homes are targeted to families; 50 have sold during preconstruction. Eight models will soon open; 10 different floor plans are offered with three-to-six bedrooms. Some lots have lake views.
■ Builder: CC Devco; developer: Ave Maria Development/Barron Collier Cos.
■ When started: June 2013
■ Number of homes completed: Four out of eight models will open in November, and four more by year’s end
■ Number of homes when completed: 1,500
■ Amenities: Clubhouse, 18-hole golf course, water park, lakes, sidewalks, parks, bocce and pickle-ball courts, amphitheater, picnic pavilions, playing fields, walking and bike paths
■ Project size: 618 acres
■ Types of homes: Two single-family collections with two- and three-car garages
■ Price range: Low $200,000s to mid-$300,000s, pre-construction
■ Square footage: 1,935 to 4,032
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/aug/25/8-model-homes-underway-in-maple-ridge-at-ave/
Mirasol at Coconut Point, 8570 Evernia Court, Bonita Springs
The first phase of seven buildings in this community is sold out, as are four of six new buildings under construction. Buildout is anticipated in three years. About half of the homes have been sold.
■ Builder and developer: D.R. Horton
■ When started: September 2012
■ Number of homes completed: Seven buildings comprising 48 units
■ Number of homes when completed: 200
■ Project size: 23 acres
■ Types of homes: Two- and three-bedroom condos and townhouses, with one- or two-car garages
■ Amenities: Pool, hot tub, rock waterfall, fitness center, game room, community room
■ Price range: high $100,000s to mid $200,000s
■ Square footage: 1,244 to 1,655
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/nov/09/big-land-deals-again-big-deal-in-southwest-says/
Talis Park, 16980 Livingston Road, North Naples
Former NFL player Syd Kitson and his partners bought the former Tuscany Reserve in 2011. Now 12 builders are creating homes along the Greg Norman/Pete Dye golf course. By January, phase one of the clubhouse, seven new models and 20 ready-to-move homes should be ready. The project should be built out in 2017. Ten percent of the homes have been sold.
■ Builders: Borelli Construction, Distinctive Communities, Divco Construction Corp., Fox Custom Builders, Gulfshore Homes, Harbourside Custom Homes, Harwick Homes, Imperial Homes of Southwest Florida, McGarvey Custom Homes, Randall Mitchell Companies, Sunwest Homes and Van Emmerik Custom Homes.
■ Developer: Kitson & Partners
■ When started: October 2012
■ Number of homes completed: 25
■ Number of homes when completed: 590
■ Project size: 461 acres
■ Types of homes: Villas and single-family homes
■ Amenities: 18-hole golf course, walking trails, bocce and tennis courts, pool, spa
■ Price range: $700,000 to more than $5 million
■ Square footage: 2,600 to 17,000
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/apr/08/develop-kitson-revive-talis-park-collier-county/
Treviso Bay, 9800 Treviso Bay Blvd., Naples
■ The clubhouse and sports center are near completion. Lennar Homes is building condos to executive homes ranging from the low $200,000s to the upper $600,000s; Stock Construction will build 26 luxury homes in the first phase.
■ Developer: Lennar Homes
■ Project size: 1,050 acres
■ Amenities: Arthur Hills/Hal Sutton designed golf course, bocce and tennis courts, lakeside beach, clubhouse and sports center
■ Price range: Low $200,000s to millions
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/sep/29/villa-rilissare-clubhouse-in-treviso-bay-nears/
Colony Golf and Bay Club, 4541 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs
This project is a gated condominium community within the Pelican Landing master-planned community.
■ Builder and developer: WCI Communities
■ When started: 2012
■ Number of homes completed: 825
■ Number of homes when completed: 1,352
■ Project size: 809 acres
■ Type of homes: Mid-rise condominiums
■ Amenities: Clubhouse with formal and casual dining; spa and fitness center; pool; tennis pavilion; beach park
■ Price range: Mid-$400,000s to mid-$640,000s
■ Square footage: 2,100 to 2,900
http://www.wcicommunities.com/colony-golf-bay-club/
Valencia at Spanish Wells, 28474 Tasca Drive, Bonita Springs
A model is under construction at this gated neighborhood, which is part of the Spanish Wells Golf and Country Club. Residents will have privileges at the Tarpon Cove Yacht and Racquet Club in North Naples.
■ Builder and developer: Toll Brothers
■ When started: July 2013
■ Number of homes when completed: 128
■ Project size: 54 acres
■ Types of homes: Single-family, all with a first-floor master suite
■ Amenities: 27-hole golf course, tennis center, pools, clubhouse, fitness center; yacht-club access
■ Percentage of homes sold: Not yet open for sales
■ Price range: $300,000s to $500,000s
■ Square footage: 2,000 to 3,000 square feet
http://www.naplesnews.com/blogs/bonita-and-beyond-jim-boeglin/2013/oct/11/housing/
More About Buying A Home:
The Housing Market Continues to Progress
Amid Falling Foreclosure Rates and Rising Prices, Trade-Up Buyers Are Coming Back
